Saturday 24 March 2012

Game 10

Hall Road Rangers V Scarborough Athletic
NCEL Premier Division
Dene Park
17/03/12
att:146

The massive clubhouse

Wow what an afternoon I had at Dene park.  On arrival the ground wasn't open however the clubhouse was and on entry they have what can only be described as a cinema screen showing the Ev**ton V Sunderland game.  For £3 something I got a cheeseburger and chips and it was superb.  Cathederal city cheese on the burger ( well it made me happy). 
The entrance

Entrance to the ground was a wonderfully reasonable £5 and would go on to prove to be probably the best fiver ever spent at a football ground.  The ground itself is very simple and has a small seated stand behind the goal.  Either side of this are a number of un used porta cabins.  The Home and Away dugouts are on either side of the pitch.  Hall Road had put on their website that a larger than normal crowd was expected for the game.  So ive got to ask where was the programme?  My expectations were low after reading Wheres the tea hut? ( my ground hopping bible) and amazingly the excuse was exactly the same.  The same printers I presume had let them down again.
The stand

The game was superb entertainment from the start.  Scarborough raced into a 2 goal lead with goals from Ryan Blott and a superb free kick from Paddy Miller.  As with last weeks game I was dissapointed with players trying to get each other carded and the level of abuse being thrown at each other.  Following a shocking dive from one of Hall road's players the Scarborough player Paddy Miller was subjected to a torrent of abuse from the Hall Road bench.  It was constant and in my opinion quite disgusting and the manager for me should have been sent away as it was clear the referee could hear what was being said.


Hall road pulled the game level before half-time with 2 goals of their own leaving the majority of the crowd stunned ( Scarbough outnumbered the home fans about 14-1).  The 2nd half saw Hall Road go 3-2 in front following a horrendous mistake by Kevin Martin in the Scarborough goal.  As if feeling left out the Hall Road keeper made an equally horrendous mistake leading to a Scarborough equaliser for Ryan Blott.  Ryan then went on to complete his hat-trick by putting Boro 4-3 up.  The goals were finished but the action kept coming.  As Scarborough were making a substitution prior to taking a corner something kicked off in the Hall Road goal mouth.  The keeper appeared to have hold of one of the Scarborough players by the throat.  Despite not really seeing the incident as they were concentrating on the sub coming on, the ref and his assistant took the decision to send off both players.  Towards the end of the game another Hall Road player saw red after throwing an elbow into the face of a Scarborough defender.  The final whistle went and as the players left the field the Hall Road manager appeared to be carded by the ref ( about 45 minutes too late).  7 goals and 3 reds what amazing value for £5.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Game 9

Scarborough Athletic V Arnold Town
NCEL Premier Division
Neil Hudgell law Stadium (Queensgate)
10/3/12
Att: 367

Outside the shared ground

Queensgate or the neil hudgell law stadium as it has been recently named is the home of Bridlington Town it is also the temporary home of Scarborough Athletic.  The Queensgate ground is the closest football ground to my house and one I have visited on several occasions.  The previous incarnation of Scarborough were followed by several friends of mine and I have them to thank for introducing me to the non league game.
The main stand

Athletic since reforming has been run by the fans and match days are manned by volunteers.  Since losing the McCain stadium and any hope of returning, "Boro" set up their temporary home in Bridlington.  I have to point out that another group of fans formed their own version of the old club under the name Scarborough Town and they play their home games in Scarborough.  It is not my intention to join the debate as to who are the true heirs to the former clubs status.  I was introduced to Athletic through some friends of mine and have made several trips to Bridlington to watch games here.
The bus stop

On entering the ground you find yourself in the corner behind the goal, along the touchline in front of you is the main stand which is mostly seated but has a terrace area towards the far end.  Behind the goal is a small hut selling programmes at £2 each which are reasonable.  Then you have the Tea hut which is run by the Bridlington Town staff and therefore all the profits go to them as well which highlights another problem in not having your own ground.  A tray of chips and a can of coke cost me £1.90 so not bad value at all.  After the tea hut you come accross the clubhouse and once inside the snooker table doubles as the club shop.
Programme stand

As you leave the clubhouse and move round the ground you pass a portacabin which houses the st.john ambulance people who were called into action to help an elderly gentleman.  You then head to the touchline at the opposite side where in the middle you have the bus shelter.  The goal at the far end has a small covered area which then leads you back to the main stand.
Main stand (terracing on the left).

The game itself was pretty poor however much better value than the £22 paid at Doncaster last week.  Arnold scored after about a minute but should have scored earlier than that.  Despite dominating possesion Boro lacked any cutting edge and failed to worry the Arnold keeper in the 1st half.  Arnold scored a contreversial 2nd in the 2nd half.  From the position we were in it looked like the goal came as a result of a foul on the keeper but the goal stood.  Curtis Bernard who had returned from a spell with Bradford Park Avenue pulled one back for Boro.  Despite more domination of possesion Boro couldn't get the equaliser and the game finished Scarborough Athletic 1 Arnold Town 2.
More Boro pressure

The only thing that spoilt a lovely sunny day for me was the way the players were harrasing the referee for decisions.  Players from both sides were constantly trying to get each other booked and surrounding the ref.  The Arnold keeper covered half the pitch to try and get one of the Scarborough players carded.  Not what I want to see at this level thank you very much.  Next week Boro away to Hall Road Rangers.

Matchday Programme



Saturday 3 March 2012

Game 8

Doncaster Rovers V Brighton & Hove Albion
NPower Championship
Keepmoat Stadium
03/03/12
Att: 8964

Outside the Keepmoat



Having been a while since ive managed to attend a game (thanks to work commitments) a Saturday off arrived and Football was high on the agenda.  There didn't seem to be many local games in the non league world so I took Dad along to the Championship.  We didn't bother with the satnav as the clubs website gave pretty good directions, however best laid plans an all that saw an accident on the M18 causing us to come off early.  Luckily Dad had a fairly decent knowledge of Doncaster and got us to the stadium with plenty of time to spare.
Inside the Keepmoat

After parking up at the retail park near to the ground we made the short walk and headed towards the ticket office.  Having purchased a nice glossy programme fo £3 (full of adverts obviously) we asked the seller the best place to sit. His reply was "what noise there is comes from the Polypipe Stand." Polypipe it is then.  At £22 a ticket we are paying about £14 more than at any of the non league grounds I have visited. Heres hoping we get £14 more worth of football.

Donny dog entertains the crowd

On entry to the stadium you arrive in the concourse under the stand where flat screen tvs are showing the 2nd half of Liverpool V Arsenal.  We grab something to eat and for a pie and a bottle of Tango iam left with very little change from £5.  We head out into the stands to get our first view of the stadium.  Now I have to say Iam not particularly a fan of the identikit bowl stadiums that are appearing up and down the country (see Kc, St.Marys, Riverside etc.) however for a club the size of Donny, the 15000 seated Keepmoat is pretty smart.  Traditionalists will like the fact that there are 4 floodlights in the corners.
An ode to owner John Ryan

On flicking through the programme I realise that representing Doncaster today will be a certain El hadji Diouf.  As a Liverpool fan I have to say seeing the serial spitter in action is going to be difficult and I will have to keep my opinions to myself while sitting with the home fans.  The home fans chant about him spitting on his opponents was only sung and found amusing by a limited number of individuals.  Wosre was to come when I saw a home fan setting up a drum. A f**cking drum whats that for?  I hate the England band and any other set of fans that think instruments create an atmosphere.  THEY DONT SO STOP IT.
The Polypipe stand before the arrival of the drummer boy

Prior to the game we are treated to a group of little girls/cheer leaders girating about to some very loud dance music anyone who wolf whistled should hang their head in shame.  As the teams take to the field local kids greet them by waving Rovers flagson the pitch.  A lot is being tried to create an atmosphere but it all feels very manufactured (especially with the hideous drum going).
The warm up

The game kicked off and we soon realised we were not going to get £22's worth of Football.  Brighton have earned great reviews about the style of Football they play under Gus Poyet.  Well Today no one played good football.  The highlights of 90 minutes action include a very scrappy Mackail-Smith goal in the 1st half for Brighton and a Penalty equaliser by my favourite Player Diouf following a hand ball.  The game was awful and by no means better than anything I have seen 7 leagues below.

Saturday 22 October 2011

Game 7

Barton Town Old Boys V Pontefract Collieries
FA Vase round 1
Euronics ground Marsh lane
22/10/11
att:80


Despite suffering the worst bout of man flu I decided that as I had a Saturday off and there were 7 non league games alone within an hour and a half travel, it had to be a football day.  In the end I decided to work out which game was closest and thus I ended up on the south side of the humber at Barton. It was a gorgeous sunny day and pretty warm out of the shade.  Entrance to the Euronics ground was a very reasonable £5 and a programme only a further £1.
The Ground at Barton is a small one but probably one of the tidiest and best kept ive seen. You enter the ground at the bottom right of the pitch.  Behind the goal nearest to you is a wall with a small grass area.  As you follow the ground there is a small seated stand that covers about half the touch-line.  Behind the other goal are 2 small terrace type stands either side of the goal.  As you come back to the near side you come to the clubhouse with the usual bar and kitchen.  On the side of the clubhouse is a banner advertising the Barton branch of the Hull City supporters club.  Hull City are at home today on the otherside of the bridge and I fear (rightly) this will keep todays crowd down.
The game itself was pretty awful and the vast majority of us were praying quite early on that it didn't go to extra-time.  Pontefract had slightly the better of the 1st half however the 2nd saw Barton hit the woodwork a couple of times.  In the end Barton ran out 1-0 winners in what was possibly the worst game ive been to in a very long time.


Sunday 9 October 2011

Very Sad

On the 6/10/11 I was dropping the missus off at work in Scarborough, on the way home decided to take a quick look at the old McCain stadium.  What I saw was sad, very sad.

Rumour was a local builder was able to ready the stadium for league football for a lot less than it would cost for the proposed new stadium at weaponess ( not anymore obviously).  Many fans believe the new stadium will never happen and its all talk.  I have my doubts and honestly don't see Scarborough coming home for some time.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Game 6

Pickering Town V Scarborough Athletic
Northern Counties East League premier Division
Mill Lane Recreation Ground
4/10/11
Att: 564
On the way to the ground

The last time I went to see Scarborough away was back in the late 90's in league 2 (old division 4) at Peterborough's London Road ground.  A friend of mine was a big Scarborough fan and it was his brother who introduced me to the reincarnated Scarborough Athletic 2 years ago.  At the time they where playing in the NCEL 1 and their home games played at Queensgate stadium home of Bridlington Town fc. Only about 75 Boro fans turned up at Peterborough, however over 400 made the short trip tonight to Pickering.  For myself it is a 28 mile journey and the satnav puts us right outside the ground.  I decide to park down a side street as I am expecting a large away following in the club car park.  Entrance is a bargain £5 for adults and the matchday programme a very reasonable £1.30.


The walk to the ground
Upon entering the ground the first thing you notice is one of the craziest slopes I have ever seen on a Football pitch.  The turnstiles bring you out behind the goal which is half terraced stand and half clubhouse.  Along the side there is a small seated stand in the middle with small standing areas either side.  Behind the other goal is a small seated stand in the middle.  The far side has a 6ft fence running the length of the pitch, on the other side is the cricket pitch.
clubhouse to the left
The clubhouse had a large bar area including club shop/pool table.  To the back there is another function room with a kitchen.  I have to say for food Pickering was the best value I have seen up to now on my travels.  £1 for a burger or hotdog represented really good value.  There were also sausage rolls, pork pies and bacon butties available.  After having a bite to eat we decide to take position at the far corner of the ground as the teams take to the field.

slope and clubhouse
 As the 2 sides take to the field it becomes obvious exactly how heavily the away fans out number the home fans.  Pickering's largest crowd of the season so far has been beaten by over 400.  The 1st half gets underway and Scarborough dominate the possession with Pickering looking quite dangerous on the counter attack.  On 20 minutes Scarborough were awarded a free kick 30 yards out.  Ryan Blott scored direct from the free  kick firing low and hard to the keepers right.  The 1st half finished with Scarborough 1-0 up.

The second half began in the same fashion as the 1st with Scarborough continuing to dominate.  On 67 minutes Curtis Bernard scored a great 2nd goal which even this early on put the game beyond Pickering.  The 80th minute saw Ryan Blott score his second of the game and Billy Law added a fourth in the 90th to leave the score 4-0 to the away side.
Matchday programme

Having been to several Scarborough games in the last few years, my faith in Football has been restored.  The club is run by fans who give up time in their lives to ensure the people of Scarborough have a team to follow and who knows maybe one day they will finally get "back to the Boro".

Saturday 17 September 2011

Game 5


Game 5
Goole AFC V Shepshed Dynamo
Evo-stick-Division 1 South
Victoria Pleasure Ground
17/09/11
Att: 118

After 2 weeks away on holiday I was desperate to get to a game this weekend.  Up to the point when I left the door I still had 2 options within 45mins travelling distance. The other option was Pickering Town V Staveley Miners Welfare in the FA cup 1st qualifying round.  The trip to Goole won out on the basis that it was 1 mile less.  So the missus and I took the 31mile trip up the A614 to Victoria Pleasure Ground.  Apart from the many tractors the journey was pretty uneventful and the satnav dropped me off right outside the turnstiles.  The £7 entry seemed reasonable enough and we were met by the usual Golden goal and raffle ticket sellers.  The Matchday programme was a reasonable £1.50 and was more readable article then adverts (for a change).
The turnstiles,club shop and Tea hut

On entering the ground you are faced with quite a large stand down the left which also has 200 seats.  This stand also houses the changing rooms.  I decide to walk round to the far side to get photos all round. As you walk past the large stand you come across some small uncovered bits of terrace.  As you get round to the far side you can see the cranes of the port behind the main stand.  On reaching the far side you are met with a small covered terraced stand with one small bench to the rear.  There is an athletics track round the pitch and no stands behind either goal (just a white wall).

The main stand

Having walked the perimeter it is time to go to the Tea hut.  Having read the blog "wheres the tea hut" I was a little anxious of what was going to be offered up.  I have to say it was slightly worse than I expected despite the early optimism when I saw Bacon butties were on offer only to be told they'd run out of bacon.  We both went for the Hot Dog, which upon receipt resembled a warm puppy ( sorry).  At £2 each I cant say it was good value at all and while I am more than happy to give money to clubs at this level I want a little bit of value.  A can of Coke and a packet of crisps brought the total to £5.60 and it was served by a guy who looked like he'd stuck his hand in a cement mixer and then continued to serve after wrapping it in toilet roll.  After spending £4.20 at Selby for Pie and peas a Cheeseburger and a can of Coke I feel that this particular Tea hut is very overpriced for the quality offered.


We decided to sit on the bench at the back of the far side terrace for the 1st half with sun shining and black clouds hovering at the same time.  I have to confess that until reading the matchday programme I didn't even know where Shepshed was in the country. It turns out they are from Leicestershire and have a small following of Black and White striped shirted fans.  They hang up their flags in the main stand and ready themselves for action.  The teams come out to Eye of the Tiger and the teams are ready for battle (literally).  The Shephed (or shitshed as Lisa later christens them) fans are quite a noisy bunch and to begin with its quite amusing.  Their repertoire consists of a lot of songs from other clubs just putting Shepshed in place of the other teams name.
The banners are out and then move at half-time for
reasons we cant figure out.

The reason I love ground hopping is because you come to a game as a neutral not worrying about the result and you get to see a new ground.  I have to say that I couldn't stay neutral in this game and it was the Shepshed supporters who pushed me to willing Goole to win and heavily.  I believe that Shepshed were on the receiving end of a somewhat controversial decision for Gooles opening goal.  The referee gave a drop ball decision whilst Shepshed were in possession.  The drop ball was not contested by Shepshed as they expected Goole to give the ball back.  They didn't and striker Aaron Martin was put through on goal and he put the home side 1-0 up on 36 minutes.  This lead to a mass brawl between both sets of players and the referee being accused of bias and his parentage being called into question.  Iam no prude and Lisa has heard much worse but their behaviour just got worse.  The swearing continued at the ref and linesmen and no cards were shown so the away fans cries of the ref being a cheat were a bit out of order as half the team should've gone before half-time.  So much for the Respect campaign.
The game underway.
Another thing I love about non league football is the fact that fans can change ends at half-time with their team.  For reasons I will never fathom the Shepshed fans changed SIDES at half-time. As we didn't want to sit and listen to their bile and nonsense we also swapped to the opposite side.  The start to the 2nd half was delayed slightly as there was a problem with one of the goal nets. Cue more abuse from the away fans ( by the way it wasn't the lighthearted stuff I have been used to at this level).  One woman even shouted that Goole should be fined.  What an idiot.  This is grass roots football not the Champions league and quite frankly Shepshed were awful.  Bad referee or not this team will be lucky to stay up at the end of the season and their current position in the table is warranted from what I saw today.  The fans blaming the referee is shocking including todays game Shepshed have conceded 19 goals in the league ( 8 games ) is this all down to the refs? On the evidence I saw the answer is no and their number 5 ( Simon Hore ) should've seen red in the second half for 3 awful tackles. 

Adding fuel to the Shepshed fire the next 2 goals for Goole came from free kicks (both were definite free kicks) one was a 35yarder that the keeper was slow to respond to.  A late goal for Shepshed was a mere consolation and while I am not sure Goole deserved to win 3-1, Shepshed did deserve to lose by that score (huh?)  The game was very entertaining and certainly was value for money and from a neutral point of view the referee was quite lenient and could have sent several players off.  Shepshed were poor by any standard and their fans blew apart my romantic idea of non league football.  Calling for another club to be fined? Whats that about? How much should a Club whose matchday revenue probably hits the grand heights of £1k be fined for a minor goal net problem? Absolute rubbish, this level of football is about small community teams who give pleasure to the 100 or so fans who turn out weekly.  Shepshed fans for me now are up there with Man United fans, I didn't like the way they acted or tried to confront the referee and Iam glad to see the backs of them.  Rant over, where to next?
Matchday Magazine